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Tower of Hera
| Tower of Hera | |
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ArtworkScreenshot  ALttP   ALttPALBW | |
| Location | |
| Main appearance(s) | |
| Other appearance(s) | |
| Main Item(s) | |
| Quest Reward(s) | |
| Boss(es) | |
The Tower of Hera,(ALttP | ALBW)[1] also known as the Mountain Tower,(ALttP)[2] is a recurring Dungeon in The Legend of Zelda series.
Overview
A Link to the Past
Entrance to the Tower
The Tower is located at the top of Death Mountain. In order to climb Death Mountain, and thus gain access to the Tower, Link must use the Power Glove previously obtained from the Desert Palace. In A Link to the Past, Link must also make a brief trip into Dark World and escape using the Magic Mirror he obtained from the Lost Old Man in order to get to the other side of Spectacle Rock, where the tower is located, it is also the last of the Light World dungeons Link must complete. In A Link Between Worlds, the tower is still located on the summit of Death Mountain, however, the Hammer is required to enter the dungeon and to navigate the puzzles inside, and is interchangeably the second or third dungeon with the House of Gales.
The dungeon has many more floors than the previous dungeons encountered in the game, and features a number of new enemies, the most prominent of which are the Hardhat Beetles, strong enemies that are most effectively defeated by knocking down the many pitfalls found throughout the journey to the top of the tower. These pitfalls make their debut in the series here, allowing Link to drop from one floor to a lower one without taking damage, though in its initial appearance this results in him losing progress instead. In the same game, their positions will change when certain star-shaped switches are walked on, and utilizing these pits and their changing locations is the only way to obtain the elusive Moon Pearl. Unlike the previous two dungeons, the treasure in the Big Chest is not vital to the completion of the dungeon. Crystal Switches debut in this dungeon in both of its appearances, which in its original form was first appearance for these objects in the series, and the raising and lowering of the orange/red and blue blocks in conjunction with the placement of the pits is key to progressing through the tower, and accessing Jars in the room prior to the boss. The boss is Moldorm, which is fought atop a perch surrounded by holes. In A Link to the Past, should Link fall into a hole, he will find himself on the previous floor, and he will have to begin the battle again in. In A Link Between Worlds, there is no such penalty, and there are hearts for Link to use to heal his injuries, though many Blade Traps below the battlefield can damage him if he falls down the center. After defeating this boss, Link receives a Heart Container and the Pendant of Wisdom in A Link to the Past and the Pendant of Power in A Link Between Worlds.
It is also the last of the three "Sanctuary" dungeons that contains the Pendants of Virtue. The Dark World equivalent to this tower is Ganon's Tower, which is also the penultimate location in that world.
Enemies and Traps
A Link Between Worlds
Entrance to the Dungeon
As with many dungeons in the game, the Tower of Hera is not given a certain "set" number. It can be accessed after completing the Eastern Palace, which means it is either the second or third dungeon Link must complete, before or after the House of Gales. The Tower of Hera is located after getting through Death Mountain, in the northeast of Hyrule.
The Tower of Hera has many puzzles involving the Hammer, and includes some switch puzzles. Some also involve Link merging into walls to get to unreachable places. As with its appearance in A Link to the Past, there is extensive use of red and blue barriers that are raised or lowered by switches, with the blue barriers up while the reds are down and vice versa. As in A Link to the Past, at the top of the tower, Link gets the Boss Key to exit the tower and climb up to fight Moldorm.
The Compass can be found in the center of the first floor; it is on a platform that Link can reach by launching himself onto the second floor and then dropping back down in the center opening. The Big Key is on the eastern side of the eleventh floor; Link must launch himself off of a moving platform to reach the chest.
Enemies and Traps
Non-canon Appearances
A Link to the Past (Ishinomori)
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In the A Link to the Past comic by Shotaro Ishinomori, Link finds himself in front of the Tower of Hera after waking up from a dream he shared with Princess Zelda.[3] Link enters the Tower of Hera and climbs to the top to battle a Moldorm, who this time has an appearance of a giant spider. After Sahasrahla informs Link that the Pendant of Wisdom is in the creature's eyes, Link seizes the pendant by pulling it out with his arm.[4] Upon grabbing the pendant, his arm, previously wounded is instantly healed,[5] and the young hero uses the spider to ride down the tower, defeating Moldorm.
Trivia
- The Tower of Flames from Four Swords Adventures has a very similar structure and design to the Tower of Hera. The boss of the Tower of Flames is three Dodongos, similar monsters to the Kodongos that appear in the Mountain Tower.
- Footage of the Tower of Hera dungeon was used during the The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony during the Selected Shorts Suite when the Sanctuary Dungeon music is played.
Nomenclature
The Tower of Hera may be named after the famous ancient Greek Goddess, Hera. Hera was the wife of Zeus, the King of the Gods, and is rumored that she lived in a beautiful tower or palace, built on the top of Mount Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece.
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 |
Japanese | ヘラの塔 (Hera no Tō) (ALttP) | Tower of Hera |
 |
FrenchCA | Tour d'Héra (ALBW) | Tower of Hera |
 |
FrenchEU | ALBW) | Tower of Hera Mountain Tower |
 |
German | Heras Turm (ALttP | ALBW) Bergturm (ALttP) |
Tower of Hera (ALttP) Mountain Tower (ALttP) |
 |
Italian | Torre di Hera (ALttP) Torre sul Monte (ALttP) |
Tower of Hera Mountain Tower |
 |
SpanishEU | Torre de la Montaña (ALttP) | Tower of the Mountain |
 |
SpanishLA | Torre de Hera (ALBW) | Tower of Hera |
Gallery
Link merging into a moving block from A Link Between Worlds
Being sprung up by a mole from A Link Between Worlds
Exterior of the Tower of Hera from A Link Between Worlds
References
- ↑ Encyclopedia (Dark Horse Books) pg. 147 (ALttP) & 158 (ALBW)
- ↑ "MOUNTAIN TOWER" — Quest History (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "That was a strange dream! But my arm! Who did this?! [...] The Tower of Hera!" (Nintendo Power (A Link to the Past) pg. 10)
- ↑ "Link... The pendant is the third eye..." (A Link to the Past (Nintendo Power) pg. 12)
- ↑ "My arm! It's back to normal!" (A Link to the Past (Nintendo Power) pg. 13)
Dungeons in The Legend of Zelda Series
Parapa Palace · Midoro Palace · Island Palace · Maze Island Palace
Palace on the Sea · Three-Eye Rock Palace · Great Palace
Light World
Hyrule Castle · Sewer Passageway · Eastern Palace · Desert Palace · Tower of Hera
Dark World
Palace of Darkness · Swamp Palace · Skull Woods · Thieves' Town
Ice Palace Misery Mire · Turtle Rock · Ganon's Tower · Palace of the Four Sword
Main Dungeons
Tail Cave · Bottle Grotto · Key Cavern · Angler's Tunnel · Catfish's Maw
Face Shrine · Eagle's Tower · Turtle Rock · Wind Fish's Egg
Mini-Dungeons
Moblin Cave · Kanalet Castle · Ancient Ruins
Optional Dungeons
Color Dungeon (LADX | LANS) · Chamber Dungeon (LANS)
Main Dungeons
Inside the Deku Tree · Dodongo's Cavern · Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly · Ganon's Castle
Temples
Forest Temple · Fire Temple · Water Temple · Shadow Temple · Spirit Temple
Mini-Dungeons
Temples
Woodfall Temple · Snowhead Temple · Great Bay Temple · Stone Tower Temple
Mini-Dungeons
Swamp Spider House · Pirates' Fortress · Oceanside Spider House · Beneath the Well
Ancient Castle of Ikana · Deku Dungeon · Goron Dungeon · Zora Dungeon · Link Dungeon
Main Dungeons
Spirit's Grave · Wing Dungeon · Moonlit Grotto · Skull Dungeon · Crown Dungeon
Mermaid's Cave · Jabu-Jabu's Belly · Ancient Tomb · Black Tower · Room of Rites
Mini-Dungeons
Maku Road · Great Moblin's Keep · Ambi's Palace · Hero's Cave
Main Dungeons
Gnarled Root Dungeon · Snake's Remains · Poison Moth's Lair · Dancing Dragon Dungeon · Unicorn's Cave
Ancient Ruins · Explorer's Crypt · Sword & Shield Maze · Onox's Castle · Room of Rites
Mini-Dungeons
Chambers of Insight · Sea of Trees · Talus Cave · Death Mountain · Vaati's Palace
Anniversary Edition
Main Dungeons
Forsaken Fortress · Dragon Roost Cavern · Forbidden Woods · Tower of the Gods
Earth Temple · Wind Temple · Ganon's Tower
Mini-Dungeons
Fire Mountain · Ice Ring Isle · Ghost Ship · Savage Labyrinth
Whereabouts of the Wind — Lake Hylia · Cave of No Return · Hyrule Castle
Eastern Hyrule — The Coast · Village of the Blue Maiden · Eastern Temple
Death Mountain — Death Mountain Foothills · The Mountain Path · Tower of Flames
Near the Fields — The Field · The Swamp · Infiltration of Hyrule Castle
The Dark World — Lost Woods · Kakariko Village · Temple of Darkness
Desert of Doubt — Desert of Doubt · Desert Temple · Pyramid
Frozen Hyrule — Frozen Hyrule · Temple of Ice · Tower of Winds
Realm of the Heavens — Realm of the Heavens · The Dark Cloud · Palace of Winds
Main Dungeons
Deepwood Shrine · Cave of Flames · Fortress of Winds · Temple of Droplets · Palace of Winds · Dark Hyrule Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Forest Temple · Goron Mines · Lakebed Temple · Arbiter's Grounds · Snowpeak Ruins
Temple of Time · City in the Sky · Palace of Twilight · Hyrule Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Lantern Caverns · Cave of Ordeals · Cave of Shadows (TPHD)
Dungeons
Temple of Fire · Temple of Wind · Temple of Courage · Ghost Ship · Goron Temple · Temple of Ice · Mutoh's Temple
Master Dungeon
Dungeons
Forest Temple · Snow Temple · Ocean Temple · Fire Temple · Sand Temple
Master Dungeon
Mini-Dungeon
Main Dungeons
Skyview Temple · Earth Temple · Lanayru Mining Facility · Ancient Cistern · Sandship · Fire Sanctuary · Sky Keep
Mini-Dungeons
Hyrule
Eastern Palace · Tower of Hera · House of Gales · Inside Hyrule Castle
Desert Palace
Lorule
Ice Ruins · Swamp Palace · Thieves' Hideout · Dark Palace
Skull Woods · Turtle Rock · Lorule Castle
Woodlands — Deku Forest · Buzz Blob Cave · Moblin Base · Forest Temple
Riverside — Secret Fortress · Abyss of Agony · Cove of Transition · Water Temple
Volcano — Blazing Trail · Hinox Mine · Den of Flames · Fire Temple
Ice Cavern — Frozen Plateau · Snowball Ravine · Silver Shrine · Ice Temple
Fortress — Sealed Gateway · Bomb Storage · Training Ground · The Lady's Lair
The Dunes — Infinity Dunes · Stone Corridors · Gibdo Mausoleum · Desert Temple
The Ruins — Illusory Mansion · Palace Noir · Lone Labyrinth · Grim Temple
Sky Realm — Floating Garden · Deception Castle · Dragon Citadel · Sky Temple
Forest Zone · Flooded Zone · Scorching Zone · Frozen Zone · Fortified Zone · Desert Zone · Shadow Zone · Baneful Zone
Divine Beasts
Divine Beast Vah Ruta · Divine Beast Vah Rudania · Divine Beast Vah Medoh · Divine Beast Vah Naboris · Final Trial [EX 2]
Other Dungeons
Trial of the Sword [EX 1] · Hyrule Castle
Ancient Shrines
Akh Va'quot ·
Bosh Kala ·
Chaas Qeta ·
Daag Chokah ·
Dagah Keek ·
Dah Kaso ·
Dah Hesho ·
Daka Tuss ·
Dako Tah ·
Daqa Koh ·
Daqo Chisay ·
Dila Maag ·
Dow Na'eh ·
Dunba Taag ·
Gee Ha'rah ·
Gorae Torr ·
Ha Dahamar ·
Hawa Koth ·
Hia Miu ·
Hila Rao ·
Ishto Soh ·
Ja Baij ·
Jee Noh ·
Jitan Sa'mi ·
Joloo Nah ·
Ka'o Makagh ·
Kaam Ya'tak ·
Kah Mael Shrine ·
Kah Okeo Shrine ·
Kah Yah Shrine ·
Kam Urog Shrine ·
Katah Chuki ·
Katosa Aug ·
Kay Noh ·
Kaya Wan ·
Kayra Mah ·
Ke'nai Shakah ·
Keeha Yoog ·
Keh Namut ·
Kema Kosassa ·
Kema Zoos ·
Keo Ruug ·
Ketoh Wawai ·
Korgu Chideh ·
Korsh O'hu ·
Kuh Takkar ·
Kuhn Sidajj ·
Lakna Rokee ·
Lanno Kooh ·
Maag Halan ·
Maag No'rah ·
Maka Rah ·
Mezza Lo ·
Mijah Rokee ·
Mirro Shaz ·
Misae Suma ·
Mo'a Keet ·
Mogg Latan ·
Monya Toma ·
Mozo Shenno ·
Muwo Jeem ·
Myahm Agana ·
Namika Ozz ·
Ne'ez Yohma ·
Noya Neha ·
Oman Au ·
Owa Daim ·
Pumaag Nitae ·
Qua Raym ·
Qaza Tokki ·
Qukah Nata ·
Raqa Zunzo ·
Ree Dahee ·
Rin Oyaa ·
Ritaag Zumo ·
Rok Uwog ·
Rona Kachta ·
Rota Ooh ·
Rucco Maag ·
Saas Ko'sah ·
Sah Dahaj ·
Sasa Kai ·
Sha Gehma ·
Sha Warvo ·
Shada Naw ·
Shae Katha ·
Shae Loya ·
Shae Mo'sah ·
Shai Utoh ·
Shai Yota ·
Shee Vaneer ·
Shee Venath ·
Sheem Dagoze ·
Sheh Rata ·
Sho Dantu ·
Shoda Sah ·
Shoqa Tatone ·
Shora Hah ·
Soh Kofi ·
Suma Sahma ·
Ta'loh Naeg ·
Tah Muhl ·
Tahno O'ah ·
Tawa Jinn ·
Tena Ko'sah ·
Tho Kayu ·
To Quomo ·
Toh Yahsa ·
Toto Sah ·
Tu Ka'loh ·
Tutsuwa Nima ·
Voo Lota ·
Wahgo Katta ·
Ya Naga ·
Yah Rin ·
Zalta Wa ·
Ze Kahso ·
Zuna Kai
Ancient Shrines [EX 2]
Etsu Korima · Kamia Omuna · Kee Dafunia · Keive Tala · Kiah Toza · Kihiro Moh · Mah Eliya · Noe Rajee · Rinu Honika · Rohta Chigah · Ruvo Korbah · Sato Koda · Sharo Lun · Shira Gomar · Takama Shiri · Yowaka Ita
Level 1 — Ordon Target Practice · Gerudo Stalfos: Defender · Arbiter's Grounds: Ranger
Level 2 — Goron Target Practice · Zora River: Defender · Skull Shooting
Level 3 — Kakariko Target Practice · Fruit Balloons · The Great Bridge: Defender
Level 4 — Zora River Target Practice · Hyrule Castle: Defender · Skulltula Forest: Ranger
Level 5 — Oocca Target Practice · Gerudo Moldorm: Defender · The Shootout
Level 6 — Ordon Target Practice 2 · Bridge of Eldin: Defender · Snowpeak Ruins: Ranger
Level 7 — Underground Target Practice · City in the Sky: Defender · Temple of Time: Ranger
Level 8 — Horseback Target Practice · Snowpeak Ruins: Defender · Darknut Battle
Finale — Ranch Target Practice · Sacred Grove: Defender · Fossil Stallord Battle
